6/05
2005 SCIENCE REPORT STUDY SUMMARY
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Science AAAS- Ms. Jessica Lawrence-Hurt,
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Mr. James Tinney, jltinney@wsu.edu,
509-335-8055
Michael K. Skinner
Center for Reproductive Biology
School of Molecular Biosciences
Washington State University
Pullman WA 99164-4231, USA
Phone: 509-335-1524
Fax: 509-335-2176
Email: skinner@wsu.edu
Published June 3, 2005 (Science (2005) 308:1466-1469)
Matthew D. Anway, Andrea S. Cupp, Mehmet Uzumcu and Michael K. Skinner
Transgenerational effects of environmental toxins require an epigenetic alteration of the germ-line. Transient exposure of a gestating female rat during the period of sex determination to the endocrine disruptors vinclozolin (i.e. anti-androgenic compound) or methoxychlor (i.e. estrogenic compound) induced an adult phenotype in the F1 generation of decreased spermatogenic capacity and increased incidence of male infertility. These effects were transferred through the male germ-line to nearly all males of all subsequent generations examined (i.e. F1-F4). The epigenetic effects of the endocrine disruptors appear mediated by altered DNA methylation patterns in the germ-line. An epigenetic re-programming of the germ-line to promote a reproductive disorder in a transgenerational manner has significant evolutionary biology and disease etiology implications.
A pregnant female was exposed to an environmental toxin for a short period at a critical period of sex determination for the embryo. The male progeny had reduced sperm production and subfertility. This phenotype/disease state was passed to all subsequent generations examined. Only the original F0 generation mother was exposed to the toxin. Nearly all males of all generations had the disease state and passed it on to their progeny. No known DNA sequence mutation mechanism can cause this type of transgenerational (i.e. heritable) disease phenotype. An epigenetic mechanism was identified in that the male germ-line (i.e. sperm) developed abnormal DNA methylation of specific genes. The environmental toxin permanently reprogrammed the sperm that passed the disease state on to all subsequent generations. This epigenetic transgenerational phenotype was found to induce other disease states in addition to male infertility. This is the first transgenerational effect of an environmental toxin identified, and the first indication that epigenetic mechanisms can permanently alter the germ-line and genetic traits of all subsequent generations and progeny of an exposed individual.
Toxicology:
Indicates that a class of environmental toxins known as endocrine disruptors can induce a permanent transgenerational effect on an individual. The exposure your pregnant grandmother had could induce a disease state in you and you will pass this on to your grandchildren. Therefore, the potential hazard of environmental toxins is dramatically increased, in particular for pregnant women in mid-gestation.
Evolutionary Biology:
Darwinian evolution is based on the appearance of genetic mutations (i.e. DNA sequence alterations) that promote a natural selection process and competitive biological advantage. This evolution process is the basis for our understanding of biology and the relationship of ecosystems. The concept that an environmental factor (i.e. toxin) could induce an epigenetic effect that could induce a genetic trait and permanent reprogramming of the germ-line (i.e. sperm), impacts our concept of evolutionary biology. This suggests environmental impacts can be a critical variable in evolution. The current observations suggest new variables and factors in evolution that need to be considered and explains some unexplained rapid evolutionary events previously observed.
Molecular Basis of Heritable Disease:
Previously we have realized that fetal and embryonic development events can impact disease states in the adult. A number of environmental toxins have been shown after an embryonic exposure to cause an adult disease. The concept that these induced disease states could be transgenerational and permanently inherited has not been appreciated. The current study demonstrates an effect on male fertility and sperm production, however, other disease states (e.g. prostate, kidney and cancer) have been suggested. This indicates that an epigenetic transgenerational mechanism could be involved in some heritable diseases. Many diseases have increased in frequency of occurrence but faster than can be explained from normal genetic (i.e. DNA sequence mutation) mechanisms. This epigenetic transgenerational phenomenon could explain the rapid onset of these diseases and would suggest an environmental factor in the process. This information provides new mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of disease and new therapeutic strategies to potentially treat the disease states.
Summary:
The transient exposure of a pregnant female at the time of embryonic sex determination to an environmental toxin (endocrine disruptor) can induce an epigenetic transgenerational disease phenotype in all subsequent generations. This has a significant impact on our understanding of factors that influence human disease and the basic concepts of evolutionary biology.